Paschal Candles

Artwork by Dorothy Woodward rsj

The Pascal Candle design for 2012 features a magnificent phoenix rising from the ashes into the heavens.  While the phoenix is one of the lesser known symbols of the Resurrection, it dates back as far as the first century AD when St Clement of Rome referred to it in his First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians.

In this letter, St Clement spoke of the ancient myth of the phoenix which was said to be an eagle-like bird with beautiful red and gold plumage that lived in Arabia.   Only one phoenix existed at a time. Every 500 years, as it felt its life drawing to an end, the phoenix built a nest of frankincense, myrrh, and other sweet smelling woods. When its time was complete, the nest ignited and the bird was consumed in the flames. Three days later, the phoenix rose again from the ashes, restored to youth to live out another 500 years.

St Clement then went on to use this mythical, immortal bird as a symbol of the Resurrection of Jesus.   The phoenix thus became popular in early Christian art and literature as a symbol of the Resurrected Christ, immortality and life after death.

Here in Australia in 2012, throughout Eastertide, we will be preparing for the Year of Grace which begins on the Feast of Pentecost.  This beautiful phoenix could also be seen as a symbol of the Holy Spirit with the magnificent star studded heavens reminding us of our graced existence in this “Great South Land of the Holy Spirit”. 

All good symbols unfold depths of meaning!  In whatever ways this  Paschal design speaks to you this year, may your candle be  “A pillar of fire glowing to the honour of God and mingling with the lights of heaven!” (taken from The Exultet).